Questions and Answers

Q1 Why is the Appeal necessary?
Barker College is an independent school which operates as a not-for-profit organisation. Its main sources of income are tuition and boarding fees and Commonwealth and State grants for recurrent purposes. Expenditure of income is directed primarily to salaries, wages, teaching resources and to operating and maintenance costs. Whilst the School is in a sound financial position and generates a small annual surplus, it does not have the reserves necessary to fund major capital works.

 

Q2 What will happen to the funds from the Barker Foundation Kurrajong Building Appeal?
All funds generated by the Campaign will assist to provide the capital necessary to complete a centre for teaching and learning for the Christian Studies, English, Drama and Learning Support departments. These facilities will be at the centre of the School’s teaching and learning programmes. Construction of the building is planned to commence in 2007 and will be completed for the commencement of the 2009 school year subject to Shire Council approval.

 

Q3 What will happen to the existing building areas freed up by this project?
The spaces freed up by this project include seven transportable classrooms which will be removed from the campus, and four classrooms which have already been allocated for Boarding accommodation and amenities. Other spaces will be refurbished to provide improved teaching facilities for other subject disciplines, particularly the Humanities subjects, and to cater for the needs for pastoral care staff in the Senior School.

 

Q4 Will the population of students increase?
Although the Kurrajong Building will provide 24 purpose built teaching spaces this is not to accommodate additional student population but will significantly enhance the environment for learning as part of the 2015 education plan using the methodology employed at Barker "Teaching for Understanding"

 

Q5 Please describe the role of The Barker Foundation Limited within the School.
The Foundation was established in 1981. It is governed by a group of elected volunteer Directors, most of whom are parents at the School. The primary responsibility of the Foundation is to manage monies received through the School’s outside fundraising initiatives. The Foundation has in the past given:

  • 1984 Junior School refurbishment $1.34m
  • 1987 McCaskill Music Centre $1.7m
  • 1988 The Grange $0.65m
  • 1991 Centenary Design Centre $4.1m
  • 1994 The Barker Foundation Aquatic Centre $2.2m
  • 1995 The Hornsby Hundred Building $1.25m
  • 1997 The Information Technology Centre $0.5m
  • 2000 The Foundation Science Centre and
  • 2002 The Barker College Library $1.5m in the Millennium Appeal

 

Q6 Will every student have access to the new Building?
Yes, the new building will be integral to four major curriculum areas and a major focus of teaching and learning.

 

Q7 Are gifts tax deductible?
Yes - Gifts made to Barker Foundation Building Fund for the Kurrajong Building Appeal are allowable deductions for tax purposes under section 78 (1) (a) XV of the Act. All gifts will be acknowledged and an official receipt will be issued for tax purposes.

 

Q8 May I make a gift other than cash?
This is possible. The Advancement Office will be happy to discuss the options with you.

 

Q9 Do I have to make my first payment immediately?
It will help the Campaign immensely if cash is received in 2007, but any pattern of payment is acceptable over four years. It is not necessary to make a payment in each year and the amount can be varied from year to year to obtain maximum tax concessions.

 

Q12 What methods of payment may be used?
We are extremely flexible in terms of how payment can be made. Payment by cheque, most major credit cards, EFT or payment using Paypal direct to Barker’s account. The methods of payment can be discussed with the Advancement office.

 

Q13 Are costs being incurred in this Appeal?
The Foundation Board has engaged limited external professional assistance in preparing promotional material for the Appeal. There are also moderate secretarial, printing and postage costs.

 

Q14 How will these costs be met?
The School has made appropriate provision for the costs from its accumulated reserves. All donations to this Campaign go directly to the Barker Foundation Kurrajong Building Appeal. These funds will be used for the purpose of constructing the new building.

 

Q15 When was the last building campaign and what was the result?
The last fundraising campaign was held in 1998-2002 and the money raised enabled the School to construct the Foundation Science Centre and the Library.

 

Q16 How much is expected from each family, individual or company?
Some families, individuals or corporations are able to donate a substantial amount, some not as much. All donations are greatly appreciated.